Keeping a bowel diary
Morning or afternoon? How much water is optimal? Like learning anything new, establishing a routine for your Peristeen Plus irrigations can take a while to master. You may experience some frustrations at first but remember that you are on the path to better bowel control.
Finding a personal routine that fits into your daily life, is an important part of coming to terms with your bowel problem and regaining control of when you empty your bowel. Keeping a bowel diary (link to pdf) can be a great way to record your bowel movements and build a personalised routine.
Track your variables over the next few months
Make an entry in the diary each time you empty your bowels. Noting your observations, such as when you irrigate, how much water you use etc. is key to success. Recording different variables of your routine will help you see a pattern of what works for you and what doesn’t. This way you can track your progress with Peristeen Plus and make gradual adjustments to your routine if necessary.
You can also use your diary for a better discussion with your healthcare professional (HCP). But remember to never make any changes to your routine without consulting them first.
Understanding your stool type
What should my stool look like? It's helpful to make note of the shape and consistency of your stool. This is important to see how things are improving. Find the number that resembles your bowel movements in the Bristol Scale most closely and make a note of it each time you go to the toilet in your diary. It will be a good reference when speaking to your local Coloplast® Care team to understand how you are getting on.
